Liverpool's latest academy graduate, John Flanagan, has predicted an influx of young talent into the first-team ranks thanks to the guidance of Kenny Dalglish.

The 18-year-old produced a flawless first-team debut in the 3-0 win over Manchester City on Monday, when Dalglish was quick to pay tribute to the work of the Liverpool youth academy over the past two years. Dalglish worked at the Liverpool academy on his return to the club in 2009, when the former manager Rafael Benítez, dismayed at the lack of players coming through, orchestrated an overhaul of the coaching structure.

Under the academy director, Frank McParland, and the technical director, José Segura, Liverpool have a pool of promising talent pushing towards the senior squad, including Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom, Jésus Fernández (known as Suso), Michael Ngoo and Toni Silva. And Flanagan, who excelled at right-back in the absence of the injured Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly, another home-grown player, and alongside the midfielder Jay Spearing, believes Liverpool's production line has been given added impetus by the appointment of Dalglish as temporary manager.

"Kenny has been a big help to me and the other young players," the defender said. "He's been working at the club for the last two years and he was at the academy so he knows all of the youngsters well. He's always a big help to us, telling us what to do. It helps us just the fact that we already know him well from the academy because it means that he knows us well too.

"It gives all the young players a boost because we all know that Kenny is looking at us and is willing to give us our chance so that gives us confidence. The thing for us is that when we do get a chance we have to take it. There is a great bunch of lads at the academy, we were unlucky in the Youth Cup but we've got great teams in the academy and the reserves."

Flanagan's father, Jonathan, was also on Liverpool's books as a teenager but his failure to make the grade will, the defender says, now serve as an inspiration. He explained: "My dad was here when he was younger but unfortunately he didn't make it. But even that is something that can help me because he's able to speak to me about what worked and what didn't work for him and that means I can learn from his mistakes. He keeps telling me he used to clean Kenny's boots! My dad wants me to go all the way and so do I."

Reported Liverpool target Xherdan Shaqiri is closing in on a move to Juventus, it has been claimed.

According to talkSPORT, the Italian giants have already met with FC Basle in order to discuss a deal for the 19-year-old winger, who could be set to move to Turin in the summer.

Liverpool have frequently been linked with a swoop for the teenager, who continues to impress with his skilful displays in the Swiss Super League - but it appears the Reds will now have their work cut out if they hope to bring him to Anfield.

The fleet-footed winger's profile rose dramatically after he scored a stunning goal against England as Switzerland fell to a 3-1 defeat in the Euro 2012 qualifier last September, and his name has been mentioned regarding Liverpool ever since.

Shaqiri is thought to be keen on a move to England - and to Liverpool in particularly - and Goal.com previously reported that the youngster 'yearns' for a move to Anfield.

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov says he made a mistake in failing to buy Liverpool when he claims the club was offered to him for £200 million in 2005.

"In 2005, my club Kaunas was playing against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers," said the Lithuanian businessman and banker, who the same year bought a majority shareholding in Hearts.

"David Moores, who then owned Liverpool, suggested that I bought it for £200 million. The price was realistic, a serious piece of real estate, star players. Just to mention Gerrard."

Romanov admitted: "I got scared. By that time I had been beaten black and blue over Hearts in Scotland where they pictured me as an idiot. And I thought that if I got hold of Liverpool they would definitely drive me to an early grave."

He said he had planned a bid with a Russian businessman friend who he did not name. "He refused. And I did not risk getting into it on my own," he said.

The New York Times Company has been confirmed as the second largest shareholder in Liverpool Football Club.

The club’s owners Fenway Sports Group released the information as required by Premier League rules which state that any ownership of more than 10 per cent must be declared.

FSG chief John Henry revealed that he and the Times group are the two biggest shareholders in the company, which owns Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox.

It was already known that the Times were significant players in FSG with their stake believed to be 16.58%.

Henry and the Times group are the only investors with more than 10 per cent of FSG, while Reds chairman Tom Werner is one of “a range of investors”.

A statement said: “The economic interest in this company is held by a range of investors, including Tom Werner.

“Those holding more than a 10 per cent interest are John Henry and the New York Times Company (which is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange). John Henry and Tom Werner are generally responsible for the management of Fenway Sports Group.”

A man has been arrested on suspicion of torching former Newcastle United star Andy Carroll’s car.

The striker’s brand new chrome-plated Range Rover was set on fire outside Toon captain Kevin Nolan’s house last October.

Carroll, who signed for Liverpool for a British record £35m in January, was staying at his skipper’s home in Darras Hall, Ponteland, at the time as a condition of his bail, after being charged with assaulting his former girlfriend Laurie Henderson, 18.

Abusive graffiti relating to the Gateshead-born forward was also scrawled on Nolan’s garage door.

A police spokesman said: “On Tuesday, police arrested a 33-year-old man from the Whitley Bay area in connection with an arson that happened in Darras Road, Ponteland on October 20, 2010.

“We are appealing for information after a car was set on fire in Ponteland.”

Police said today the man had been bailed until August pending further police inquiries.

Carroll, 22, bought the 4x4 to celebrate netting a five-year contract with the Magpies.

Police and firefighters were called to the house at about 7pm on October 20 after Nolan and Carroll noticed the car on fire outside the house.

Nolan’s wife, Hayley, and their two children were inside at the time.

Carroll had appeared in court that week charged with assaulting Miss Henderson at her home, also in Ponteland, on the Sunday morning.

The charges were later dropped.

On Monday, Carroll scored his first goals for Liverpool following his record-breaking transfer in a 3-0 win against Manchester City.